Venezuela Travel Guide

Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Australian	Yes	No/2	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No/2	Yes
USA	Yes	No/2	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No/1/2	Yes
British	Yes	No/2	Yes

Passport valid for six months on arrival required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of Latvia and Cyprus who do need a visa.

2. All other nationals listed in the chart above require a Tourist Entry Card (DEX-2), which is issued free of charge by an authorized air carrier on presentation of valid air tickets (including return or onward ticket) for stays of maximum 90 days (non-extendable).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist Entry Card: Free of charge (single-entry). Tourist: £21.90 (multiple-entry, 1 year, no more than 90 days per visit). Business: £43.80 (multiple-entry). Student: £43.80 (multiple-entry).

Validity

Tourist/Tourist Entry Cards: 90 days (tourist visas are valid for up to one year but only permit entry for 90 days in any one period). Student: one year. Business: 180 days. Transit: up to 72 hours.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Important Addresses. Tourist Entry Cards are available at the airport check-in desk prior to departure.

Working Days Required

Three.

Travel Warnings

Several large scale protest marches have taken place across Venezuela recently. Large scale demonstrations may turn violent, with little or no warning. You are advised to take particular care to avoid demonstrations

Travelers are advised against all travel to within 80 kms (50 miles) of the Colombian border in the states of Zulia, Tachira and Apure. We advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Tachira and Apure states. Drug traffickers and illegal armed groups are active in these states and there is a risk of kidnapping. In addition, travelers should take particular care if attempting to cross in to Colombia from any state since border crossings can attract criminal activity. Travelers should only use official crossing points.

The incidence of street crime in Venezuela is high. It is not advisable to carry large amounts of money, wear valuable watches or jewelry or use mobile phones in the street.

There have been muggings and kidnappings by bogus taxi operators at Caracas International Airport (Maiquetia). The road from the airport to Caracas is dangerous. Where possible, journeys on this route should be made in daylight hours. There are significant delays on this route and travelers should allow extra time for the journey to and from the airport. The airport itself can be a dangerous place.

“Express kidnappings” are on the increase. Travelers should exercise caution when arriving in, and traveling around, Venezuela and be aware of the general risks of crime for visitors.

Penalties for handling illicit drugs are amongst the most severe in the Americas.

Political opinion in Venezuela is polarized. Demonstrations may take place with little warning and can turn violent. Many Venezuelans carry guns and the police and Guardia Nacional are heavily armed when involved in crowd control situations. Demonstrations are a regular occurrance in Venezuela. Travelers should exercise caution in Caracas and other major urban centers and avoid large public gatherings.

Cases of Dengue Fever are increasingly common throughout Venezuela and there is presently a confirmed outbreak in Amazonas State in the south of the country. There have been fatalities associated with this outbreak. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes. Travelers are advised to take appropriate precautions.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Treatment at public hospitals is free, though private facilities are of a much higher standard. The best-equipped hospitals are located in Caracas and the state capitals. Health insurance is recommended though not mandatory. 24-hour pharmacies are recognizable by a red-lit sign labelled ‘turno’.

Vaccinations

Vaccination	Special Precaution
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Sometimes
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	Yes